Housing

Rent, buy and borrow for a home without letting housing eat the whole budget.

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Housing
11 lessons
Rent, buy and borrow for a home without letting housing eat the whole budget.
Renting
Rent you can affordStart at 30% of gross, then check take-home.First apartmentMove-in cash, the lease and your deposit.Rent vs buyCompare the full cost, the cash and your timeline.
Buying
Down payment savingsDown payment plus closing costs, saved on autopilot.House you can affordWork backward from a payment that fits.How mortgages workEqual payments, mostly interest at first.Fixed vs adjustableOne rate for life, or cheaper now and riskier later.PMIA temporary cost of putting less than 20% down.Closing costsThe cash you need on top of the down payment.Mortgage escrowYour taxes and insurance, paid a month at a time.Refinance a mortgageWorth it when savings repay the costs before you move.